Vacuum cleaner providing hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a housing. A cavity is provided in the housing. A nozzle assembly is received in that cavity. A cover conceals the nozzle assembly in the cavity when the cover is in a closed position and allows access to the nozzle assembly when in an opened position. A nozzle support holds the nozzle assembly in the cavity. The nozzle support is displaceable between a nozzle storage position when the cover is in the closed position and a nozzle presentation position when the cover is in an opened position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the floor cleaning equipment field and, more particularly, to a vacuum cleaner designed to provide for hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly of the vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum cleaners are commonly equipped with various cleaning tools suited for different cleaning applications. These tools must be connected and disconnected from the end of the wand assembly. This document relates to a new and improved vacuum cleaner adapted to allow for hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from the wand assembly in a convenient and efficient manner. Advantageously, this eliminates the need to handle the nozzle assembly.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a vacuum cleaner is provided. That vacuum cleaner comprises a housing, a cavity in the housing and a nozzle assembly held in that cavity. A cover conceals the nozzle assembly in the cavity when in a closed position and allows access to the nozzle assembly when in an opened position. A nozzle support holds the nozzle assembly in the cavity. The nozzle support is displaceable between a nozzle storage position when the cover is in the closed position and a nozzle presentation position when the cover is in the opened position.

The vacuum cleaner may further include a lock carried on the housing and securing the cover in the closed position. A release button is provided for releasing that lock.

A first spring may be provided to bias the cover into the opened position. A second spring may be connected to the nozzle support. The second spring functions to bias the nozzle support into the nozzle presentation position.

The nozzle assembly of the vacuum cleaner may include a body having a suction opening. Further the nozzle assembly may include a suction conduit carried on the body. The suction conduit may include an inlet and an outlet. In addition a release lever is carried on the suction conduit. The release lever includes a wand lock displaceable between a wand locking position and a wand releasing position. A third spring may be provided to bias the wand lock into the wand locking position. The suction conduit may further include a pivoting coupler that pivotally secures the suction conduit to the body with the inlet in communication with the suction opening. The wand assembly may further include (a) a coupler for engaging the suction conduit, (b) a latch for engaging the wand lock and (c) a button for releasing the latch from the wand lock.

Still further, the nozzle support may provide a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding the suction conduit. The nozzle support may include an actuator that engages the release lever thereby displacing the wand lock into the wand releasing position so that the nozzle assembly may be released and disconnected from the wand assembly and stowed in the cavity of the vacuum cleaner in a hands-free manner. That actuator may comprise a raised shoulder including an arcuate slot for receiving the suction conduit.

In accordance with an additional aspect, a vacuum cleaner may be provided that includes a nozzle assembly including a release lever and a wand assembly including a release button. Either the release lever or the release button may be used to release a wand lock and disconnect the nozzle assembly from the wand assembly.

The vacuum cleaner may further include a housing carrying a suction generator and a third collection vessel. The housing also carries a nozzle support including an actuator that engages the release lever thereby displacing the wand lock into a wand releasing position to allow the nozzle assembly to be released and disconnected from the wand assembly.

That nozzle support includes a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding the nozzle assembly. Further the housing includes a cavity and the nozzle support is held in the cavity. Still further, the housing includes a cover closing the cavity and concealing the nozzle support.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a method is provided for hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly. That method may be broadly described as comprising the steps of: (a) supporting the nozzle assembly in a cradle on a vacuum cleaner housing, (b) pushing the wand assembly and the nozzle assembly together to connect the wand assembly to the nozzle assembly while the nozzle assembly is held in the cradle, (c) removing the connected wand assembly and the nozzle assembly from the cradle for use, (d) resting the nozzle assembly in the cradle following use and (e) disconnecting the wand assembly from the nozzle assembly in a hands-free manner while the nozzle assembly is supported in a cradle.

Still further the method may include the step of moving the nozzle assembly by manipulating the wand assembly so that a release lever on the nozzle assembly engages an actuator on the cradle to release the wand lock and thereby allow the wand assembly to be disconnected from the nozzle assembly while the nozzle assembly is held in the cradle.

In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the vacuum cleaner. As it should be realized, the vacuum cleaner is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the vacuum cleaner as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the vacuum cleaner and together with the description serves to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner including the canister assembly, the wand assembly and the nozzle assembly.

FIG. 2a is a detailed perspective view of the nozzle assembly including the body, the suction conduit pivotally connected to and carried on the body and the release lever carried on the suction conduit.

FIG. 2b is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are detailed cross-sectional views illustrating the wand lock in, respectively, the wand locking position and the wand releasing position.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the nozzle assembly resting in the nozzle support which provides a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding the nozzle assembly and includes an actuator for displacing the wand lock on the nozzle assembly into a wand releasing position whereby the nozzle assembly may be released and disconnected from the wand assembly and stowed in the cavity of the vacuum cleaner in a hands-free manner.

FIGS. 5a-5d are schematic sectional views illustrating how the wand assembly is connected to the nozzle assembly in a hands-free manner for use.

FIGS. 6a and 6b are detailed schematic sectional views illustrating how the wand assembly is disconnected from the nozzle assembly and the nozzle assembly is left in the nozzle support on the canister assembly in a hands-free manner.

FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the nozzle support in a nozzle storage position within the cavity of the canister assembly with the cover in a closed position concealing the nozzle assembly from view.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the vacuum cleaner, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating the vacuum cleaner 10 including, generally, a canister assembly 12, a nozzle assembly 14 and a wand assembly 16. As will be appreciated from the following description, the vacuum cleaner 10 is particularly adapted to allow hands-free connection and disconnection of the nozzle assembly 14 from the wand assembly 16.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrating the nozzle assembly 14 in detail.

As illustrated, the nozzle assembly 14 includes a body having a lower section 20 and an upper section 22. Lower section 20 defines a nozzle cavity 24 with a central suction opening. The lower section 20 may further carry one or more brushes 28 and a felt pad 30 to support the nozzle assembly 14 and allow it to glide more freely across a bare floor. (See also FIG. 4d .)

The upper section 22 includes two mounting tabs 32. When the upper section 22 is assembled to the lower section 20, the mounting tabs 32 extend through the apertures 34 in the lower section and engage locking lugs (not shown) provided on the lower section.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b , the nozzle assembly 14 also includes a suction conduit 36 carried on the sections 20, 22. The suction conduit 36 includes an inlet 38 and an outlet 40. The suction conduit 36 also includes a pivoting coupler 42 that pivotally secures the suction conduit to the sections 20, 22 with the inlet 38 in communication with the nozzle cavity 24. More specifically, the upper and lower sections 20, 22 include a trunnion mounting section 44 that captures the opposed pivot pins 46 of the pivoting coupler 42 when the upper and lower sections are secured together with the screws 48.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b , the nozzle assembly 14 also includes a release lever 50 including an integral wand lock 52. The wand lock 52 is sized to match a cutout 54 provided in the sidewall of the suction conduit 36. It should be appreciated that the wand lock 52 includes an arcuate profile having a radius of curvature matching the sidewall of the suction conduit 36. Further, the wand lock 52 includes a D-shaped notch 55.

The release lever 50 is carried on the suction conduit 36. More specifically, the suction conduit 36 includes a pivot support 56 comprising two mounting lugs 57 and two opposed pivot pins 58. The release lever 50 includes two opposed sockets 60 for receiving the two opposed pivot pins 58 and pivotally mounting the release lever 50 to the suction conduit 36. Additional details respecting the nozzle assembly 14 may be found in copending U.S. patent application serial no. (attorney docket no. 380-513), entitled “NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR VACUUM CLEANER INCLUDING WAND RELEASE LEVER”, also filed on (concurrently herewith) and incorporated herein by reference.

As should be appreciated from the following description, the release lever 50 and wand lock 52 are displaceable between a wand locking position illustrated in FIG. 3a and a wand releasing position illustrated in FIG. 3b . A spring 62 biases the release lever 50 and integral wand lock 52 into the wand locking position. More specifically, the spring 62 includes mounting loops 64 at each end that are received over opposed mounting posts 66 carried on the suction conduit 36. When the nozzle assembly 14 is properly assembled, the spring 62 nests under the suction conduit 36 with the arcuate bottom center section thereof engaging against the tab 68 provided at the bottom of the suction conduit. Further, the release lever 50 extends around the suction conduit 36 with the pivot support 56 concealed in the cavity on the underside of the release lever. Here it should be appreciated that the release lever 50 forms a continuous ring concentrically received around the suction conduit 36 that conceals the spring 62 and the pivot support 56 to provide a very aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3a illustrating the nozzle assembly 14 connected to the wand assembly 16 including a tubular wand 72 carrying a wand lock mechanism 74 in a housing 76. More specifically, the wand lock mechanism 74 comprises an actuator 78 including a projecting push button 80 adjacent one end and a locking hook 82 adjacent the other. A spring 84 biases the actuator 78 into the illustrated locking position with the locking hook 82 received in the D-shaped notch 55 and engaging the wand lock 52 integrally formed with the release lever 50 that is carried on the nozzle assembly 14. Thus, in this position, the nozzle assembly 14 is securely connected to and retained on the wand assembly 16.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 a-5 d, the canister assembly 12 of the vacuum cleaner 10 includes a housing 100 holding the suction generator 107 and the dirt collection vessel 110. The housing 100 also includes a cavity 103 in the top surface thereof. A cover 104 is secured by means of a hinge assembly 106 to the housing 100 and is biased by means of a first spring 108 into an opened position illustrated in FIG. 4. When the cover 104 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 1, it covers the cavity 103.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 a-5 d, a nozzle support 112 is pivotally connected to the housing 100 in the cavity 103. As illustrated, the nozzle support 112 provides a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding the suction conduit 36 of the nozzle assembly 14. As should be appreciated, the nozzle support 112 is displaceable between a nozzle storage position when the cover 102 is in the closed position (see FIG. 7) and a nozzle presentation or raised position when the cover is in the opened position as illustrated in FIG. 4. A second spring 114 functions to bias the nozzle support 112 into the presentation position.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 a-5 d illustrating a method for hands-free connection of the nozzle assembly 14 with the wand assembly 16. First one engages the release button 116 on the top of the housing 100, depressing the button and releasing the lock 118 on the housing that secures the cover 102 in the closed position. When this is done the first spring 108 biases the cover 102 from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the opened position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 a-5 d while the second spring 114 biases the nozzle support 112 from the nozzle storage position illustrated in FIG. 7 to the nozzle presentation position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 a-5 d. As illustrated, the nozzle assembly 14 is cradled in the nozzle support 112 so that the outlet end 40 of the suction conduit is oriented upward. In order to connect the wand assembly 16 to the nozzle assembly 14, the wand assembly is aligned over the outlet end 40 of the suction conduit 36 and is pressed downwardly in the direction of action arrow A in FIG. 5a until the locking hook 82 on the wand assembly is engaged with the D-shaped notch 55 of the wand lock 52. See FIG. 5 b.

Next, the wand assembly 16 is pivoted in the direction of action arrow B in FIG. 5c until the release lever 50 clears the actuator or shoulder 120 carried on the nozzle support 112. That actuator/raised shoulder 120 includes an arcuate slot in which the suction conduit 36 rests when the nozzle assembly 14 is held in the nozzle support 112. The space projections 122 in the bottom of the cavity 103 engage in two slots (not shown) provided in the bottom of the nozzle assembly 14 to help hold the nozzle assembly in position during the wand connection process. Once the release lever 50 on the nozzle assembly 14 has been pivoted clear of the actuator 120 on the nozzle support 112, the operator lifts the wand assembly 16 with the attached nozzle assembly 14 from the nozzle support 112 on the canister assembly 12.

After use, the nozzle assembly 14 may be disconnected from the wand assembly 16. This is done by manipulating the wand assembly 16 so as to engage the nozzle assembly 14 with the nozzle support 112. More specifically, the nozzle assembly 14 is positioned with the nozzle cavity 24 resting over the spaced projections 122 at the bottom of the cavity 103 while simultaneously nesting the suction conduit 36 with the nozzle support 112. The wand assembly 16 is then locked or pivoted rearwardly in the direction of action arrow E in FIG. 6a to ensure that the release lever 50 on the nozzle assembly 14 is engaged by the actuator or shoulder 120 on the dirt collection nozzle support 112 as the nozzle assembly is pulled in the direction of action arrow F as illustrated in FIG. 6b . When this is done, the release lever 50 pivots about the pivot pins 58 in the direction of action arrow G (See FIG. 4b ). This serves to pivot the integral wand lock 52 downwardly as illustrated by action arrow H until the D-shaped notch 55 is free of the locking hook 82 thereby allowing the nozzle assembly 14 to be disconnected from the wand assembly 16. The operator may then pivot the cover 102 into the closed position where it is locked by the lock 118. In this manner, the nozzle assembly 14 may be connected and disconnected from the wand assembly 16 in hands-free fashion without the need to handle the dirty nozzle assembly.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed:
 1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing; a cavity in said housing; a nozzle assembly in said cavity; a cover concealing said nozzle assembly in said cavity when in a closed position and allowing access to said nozzle assembly when in an opened position; and a nozzle support holding said nozzle assembly in said cavity, said nozzle support being displaceable between a nozzle storage position when said cover is in said closed position and a nozzle presentation position when said cover is in said opened position.
 2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, including a lock carried on said housing and securing said cover in said closed position.
 3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 2, further including a release button for releasing said lock.
 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, further including a first spring biasing said cover into said open position.
 5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, including a second spring connected to said nozzle support, said second spring biasing said nozzle support into said nozzle presentation position.
 6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein said nozzle assembly includes: a body including a suction opening; a suction conduit carried on said body, said suction conduit including an inlet and an outlet; and a release lever carried on said suction conduit, said release lever including a wand lock displaceable between a wand locking position and a wand releasing position.
 7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 6, further including a third spring biasing said wand lock into said wand locking position.
 8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said suction conduit includes a pivoting coupler pivotally securing said suction conduit to said body with said inlet in communication with said suction opening.
 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further including a wand assembly including (a) a coupler for engaging said suction conduit, (b) a latch for engaging said wand lock and (c) a button for releasing said latch from said wand lock.
 10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein said nozzle support provides a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding said suction conduit.
 11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 10, wherein said nozzle support includes an actuator that engages said release lever thereby displacing said wand lock into said wand releasing position whereby said nozzle assembly may be released and disconnected from said wand assembly and stowed in said cavity in a hands-free manner.
 12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11, wherein said actuator comprises a raised shoulder including an arcuate slot receiving said suction conduit.
 13. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a nozzle assembly including a release lever; and a wand assembly including a release button whereby either said release lever or said release button may be used to release a wand lock and disconnect said nozzle assembly from said wand assembly.
 14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further including a housing carrying a suction generator and a dirt collection vessel.
 15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein said housing carries a nozzle support including an actuator that engages said release lever thereby displacing said wand lock into a wand releasing position to allow said nozzle assembly to be released and disconnected from said wand assembly.
 16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein said nozzle support includes a pivoting cradle for engaging and holding said nozzle assembly.
 17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 16, wherein said housing includes a cavity and said nozzle support is held in said cavity.
 18. The vacuum cleaner of claim 17, wherein said housing includes a cover closing said cavity and concealing said nozzle support.
 19. A method for hands-free connection and disconnection of a nozzle assembly from a wand assembly, comprising: supporting said nozzle assembly in a cradle on a vacuum cleaner housing; pushing said wand assembly and said nozzle assembly together to connect said wand assembly to said nozzle assembly while said nozzle assembly is held in said cradle; removing said connected wand assembly and said nozzle assembly from said cradle for use; resting said nozzle assembly in said cradle following use; and disconnecting said wand assembly from said nozzle assembly in a hands-free manner while said nozzle assembly is supported in said cradle.
 20. The method of claim 19, including moving said nozzle assembly by manipulating said wand assembly so that a release lever on said nozzle assembly engages an actuator on said cradle to release a wand lock and thereby allow aid wand assembly to be disconnected from said nozzle assembly while said nozzle assembly is held in said cradle. 